Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister for Health. We have received apologies from Deputies Peter Fitzpatrick and Seamus Healy.

This meeting has been convened for the purpose of considering a Supplementary Estimate for the Department of Health in accordance with Standing Order No. 94A(3). I remind officials that, according to the rules, they cannot speak during the meeting. That said, I welcome Mr. Greg Dempsey and Ms Mary Jackson. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Dáil Éireann referred the Supplementary Estimate for Vote 38 to the select committee on 3 December. Pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(c) and (6)(a) and 159(3), we must report back to the Dáil no later than 9 December.

The first part of the meeting will be a short discussion on financial scrutiny, particularly how we can improve the Estimates process and the financial scrutiny of the Vote for the Department of Health. In this regard, members were only given the relevant information shortly in advance of the meeting. They will be aware that the OECD recently presented a report on a review of budgetary oversight by parliaments. In the Irish context, the report placed the Oireachtas at the bottom of the international rankings for parliamentary oversight of budgets. This is exemplified by the fact that the committee only received the Supplementary Estimate material yesterday, 7 December, which gave members very limited time to consider the issues involved or carry out a proper analysis of same. I ask that in the future the Department and the committee work together more closely to ensure information will be provided for members in a more timely fashion. In the context of parliamentary oversight, there must be a better way to do business. I hope the Minister will agree that the provision of financial information for a select committee of the Oireachtas should be given priority by his Department. I also hope he will join me in finding ways to improve both the quality and timeliness of financial information provided for the committee, including on the Estimates, in order to enhance performance based scrutiny. Is that agreed?